The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-09-17
severely.

| IL uicaH an Stau L nave hOi
alarmed you with false diagnosis"
+! els there any rernedy"'
"None, sir" replied the Doctor with
an expression of gravity aud wisdom.
"But you may postpone fatal conse-
quences by avoiding all excitement,
and especially all sudden and violent
outbnrsts of-of-oi fretfulness, you un-
derstand.'
"Was there ever an outburst that
was not sudden" asked the Major
sneering'y.
81 believe you would crack joke at
Death himself. But, not t. get into n
discussion about grammar and that
sort Of thing, if you have any business
that needs attention, you'd better not
delay. I'm not afraid to inform man
of your nerve that this disease may
prove disastrous at any moment.''
| 81 know it," said the Major in a
more kindly tone, s'and am glad that
you have given me warning"
''1t is disasreeable news to commu-
nicate TO patient" said the physician,
rubbing his hands, "but 1 felt satisfied
you would want to know the worst"
81 do not know that it is disagreea-
BILE news, if it will take me Oft any
sooner. Life is burden, and for
twenty years have borne it, because I
could not help it. Why do 1 wish
to live any longer? 1 am dying
by inches. But no matter; we'n not
| talk about it now. Wilt you have the
Kindness, as you return home, to re-
| quest Mr.. Merton to come to my house
Immediately
IsI will do so, with pleasure.''
"Make out your account also, and
present it Tomorrow. don't want to
leave anything unsettled for the law
yers and doctors to squabble over"
"Just as you say, Major.''
DR.. Miles took his leave, and the
second scene now opens in the gradual
development of oul story. The reader
is requested to pay particular attention
to this scene, since the business which
was transacted throws light upon SUBJ
sequent events.
"Good morning, Major" said Mr..
Merton on entering the invaIid's cham
Der. "I hope you feel better to. day.
DO you not think your general health
is decidedly better than it was some
weeks since?"
'No, sir" replied the Major with
=
terry. You can see that am no better.
But have not sent for you to talk
about my health. have business that
must be attended to.''
ST meant no offense, Maior,n said
Mr.. Merton meekly.
"Well, never mind; let us get TO
business. DR.. Miles tells me that I
may die at any moment, and want to
Ia
time.''
Mr.. Merton bowed, as if to signify
that he was ready to discharge the
sanctions of his profession. But seeing
that the old gentlemen hesitated, he
said, in order to encourage him to pro-
coed:
"l am at your service.'
~ desire to make my will.''
Mr.. Merton again bowed
"You will find writing material in
my desk, If you will have the kindness
t. take this key, aud open it.'
MIR. Merton did as he was requested,
an" taking sheet Of paper, wrote as
follows:
81, Joseph Bradleigh, believing
death to be imminent, and being in
fall possession of my mental faculties,
do mako this my last will and testa-
ment:
give and bequeath to my niece,
Belle Hradleigh, the interest which
may accrue from two hundred thou
sand dollars worth of United States
Bonds, now deposited in the Bank of
J. for safe keeping. 1 also give
to the said Belle BradIeigh the house
and lot, occupied by NC, on Main street
and numbered 252.
l give and bequeath to my second
cousin, Mary Ligwood, the sum of ten
thousand dollars. If l should not have
that amount on hand at the time OF nv
decease, | direct that the deficit NAV
be taken from the interest of the bonds.
given to Belle Bradteigh, at the rate OF
three thousand dollars annually till the
ten thousand be paid. / direct that
Belle Bradleigh pay to her mother,
Jane Bradleigh, one thousand dollars
per annnm, during the period of her
natural liIe.'
There Maj, Brudieigh paused.
CIV hat else :'' asked the lawyer,
IN othing,' was the reply. 81 in
vested all my property in United States
bonds.''
ado you intend to leave your will in
this shape"' inquired Mr.. Merton in
surprise. "Suppose Belle Bradliesh
should die before you do, or even af-
ter at any time in the future, what
then? You have made no disposi-
tinr Df the bonds